Spark-gap attachment for spark-plugs



J. S. FAULKNER.

SPARK GAP ATTACHMENT FOR SPARK PLUGS. APPLICATION FILED Npv. 14,.1919.

1,398,457, Patented Nov. 29, 1921.

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PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES S. FAULKNER, OF PETERS BURG, VIRGINIA.

SPARK-GAP ATTACHMENT FOB, SPARK-PLUGS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 29, 1921.

Application filed November 14, 1919. Serial No. 337,927.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES S. FAULKNER, a citizen of the United States,'residin at Petersbur in the county of Dinwi die,

State of irginia, have invented certain newand useful Improvements inSpark-Gap Attachments for- Spark-Plugs; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertainstomake and use the same.

This invention relates to spark plug attachments and more particularlyto an attachment for providing a sparkgap of which one sparking terminalis provided by the nut ordinarily employed for connecting the circuitwire with the, central electrode of the spark plug. v

The invention has for its object to provide an article that may beeasily and quickly put in place and which may be both applied andadjusted by one unfamiliar with the general subject.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a spark plug equipped with thepresent invention.

. Fig. 2 is a section taken longitudinally through the base memberlofthe attachment in the plane of the spark plug and the cirv cuit wireconnecting the binding post of the attachment, with parts in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of'the plate that is carriedadjustably by the base and which constitutes one sparking terminal.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section through the basein a. plane including theaxis of the binding p st.

Referring, now to the drawings the present spark gap attachmentcomprises an insulating base 5 having a perforation 6 near one end thatis designed to receive the upperend portion of the central electrode 7of a com mon type of spark plug 8 and which is held securely upon theelectrode, by means of the usual clamping nut 9 that is commonlyemployed'foif attaching a circuit wire.

The opposite end portion ofthe insulating base 5 is slottedlongitudinally, as shown at 10 to receive the stem of'a binding post.This binding post stem comprises a threaded cylindrical body portion 11at the base of which is a cross sectionally rectangular enlar ement 12that is fitted to slide longitudial 3 of the slot 10 while below thisportion 12 is the annular enlargement or disk member 14 that fitsslidably against the under .face of the body 5. This binding post stem,

which is in effect, a screw that is inverted and passed upwardly throughthe slot 10 has disposed upon its threaded body portion 11 a plate 15which is perforated for the purpose and one end portion of which restsupon the upper surface of the base 5, while its other end portion istapered and is offset from the base portion 5 and is directed toward theclamping nut 9 of the spark plug, hereinbefore referred to. The plate 15is movable with the binding post screw in the adjustment of the latterin the slot 10, so that its pointed extremity may be spaced from the nut9 a distance to insure most eflicient operation of the device and afteradjustment, the parts are clamped securely to the base 5, by means of athumb nut 16 that rsengaged with the threads of the body portion 11.

Upon the body portion 11 is engaged .a jam nut 17 having a circumscribinchannel 18 in its upper end portion to receive the usual reslllent prongof a circuit wire connector, it being understood of course that whendesired and circumstances dictate, the terminal may-be held between thejam nut and the clamping nut.

the applicationof the attachment to a spark plug requires only that theordinary clamping nut 9 of a spark plugbe removed,-that the base member5 be then engaged over the sparking plug electrode, that-the nut 9 bethen screwed down and that the circuit wire be then connected in eithermanner described and the terminal plate adjusted to give the re uiredspark gap.

y reason of the downturned finger 18, of the plate 15'engaging in theslot 10, rotation of the plate is prevented, not only when the articleis in use-but also when the nuts of the binding post are manipulated.The structure thus permits of delicate adjustment and insures positivelyagainst loosening of the parts under the influence of vibration of theengineand other extraneous influences.

With this construction it will be noted that upon the base andhaving atone end a finger slidably engaged with the slot and having its oppositeend offset from-the'base and directed toward said perforation, and meansengaged throu h the slot and the plate for clamping the p ate to thebase.

2. A' sparkgap attachment for spark plugs comprising an insulating baseplate havmg at one end a perforation to receive 10 the electrode of thespark plug and at its other end a longitudinal slot extending in the'direction of the perforation, a screw having an angular base slidablymounted in the slot and held against rotation therein,

the screw below the base being enlarged and 15 impinging against theunder 7 face of the foration and having at its op osite end a fingerslidably engaged in the s ot, a clamping nut engaged upon the screwagainst the plate anda jam nut uponthe screw and against the clampingnut.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JAMES S/,-'FAULK'NER.

